National Album Day 2026 Announces “Icons” Theme and First Album Champions
National Album Day returns for its ninth edition on Saturday 17th October 2026.
This year’s theme celebrates artist “Icons”
PinkPantheress and Max Richter first Album Champions to be announced
Backed by Official Supporters Cherry Red, DP World, Official Charts, PPL, Proper, Trapeze, and the wider label and retail communities
19th May 2026 – National Album Day returns on Saturday 17th October 2026 with this year’s theme celebrating music “Icons” – encompassing legendary, cultural and contemporary artists and recordings. This follows last year’s Rock theme and earlier editions of National Album Day that have, among other themes, focused on the albums of the Nineties, Women in Music, Debut Albums, and Great British Groups.
From The Beatles to David Bowie, Oasis to Spice Girls, Jazzie B to Little Simz, and Lola Young to Raye, music icons transcend the charts, genres, and generations; shaping popular culture, inspiring future talent and global audiences, and defining the sound and identity of their era.
National Album Day celebrates the “art of the album” and an artform beloved of fans and of artists who share their personal stories through it. The day, which is supported by artist Album Champions and with exclusive product, encourages album discovery and listening, especially among an engaged, younger audience, and it also reinforces the enduring importance of the format at the heart of today’s diverse music ecosystem.
National Album Day is honoured to announce that the first two artist icons of this year’s 2026 campaign are BRIT Award-winner and Grammy nominated PinkPantheress, and Oscar-nominated composer and one of the most influential and acclaimed musical voices of his generation, Max Richter CBE. Further Album Champions celebrating this year’s Icons theme will be announced in due course as we build up to National Album Day.
BRIT Award-winning artist and National Album Day 2026 Album Champion, PinkPantheress, said:
“Music is experienced in ways that are unique to every listener. I love revisiting albums that I discovered at different times in my life, while always keeping an ear out for new sounds. This year, I encourage everyone to do the same for National Album Day.”
Oscar-nominated composer and one of the most influential and acclaimed musical voices of his generation, National Album Day 2026 Album Champion, Max Richter CBE, said:
“Albums allow ideas the time and space to unfold. They invite a different kind of listening, one that allows for a deeper connection between artist and listener. That relationship is something I’ve always valued and why I’m glad to support National Album Day as an Album Champion.”
This year’s National Album Day, the ninth edition since the event launched in 2018, is once again presented in association with BBC Radio 2. The event is supported across the station and BBC Sounds.
To celebrate the 2026 announcement, the unveiling of last year’s mural competition will take place at Bristol’s legendary Metal Quarter today. The winning mural by artist and musician Brandon Burch has been installed on the side of The Gryphon, one of the city’s most iconic rock venues, following a National Album Day competition last year.
National Album Day is organised jointly by the BPI – the UK association of record companies and independent labels (BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize), and ERA, the digital entertainment and retail association (Record Store Day). National Album Day sees the music community come together to celebrate and promote the art of the album and will pay tribute to artists who tell their stories behind these significant and influential bodies of work.
Since its launch, National Album Day has been supported by a breadth of artist Album Champions, including last year by rock legends Iron Maiden, Mercury/BRIT winners Wolf Alice, and contemporary stars Nova Twins, and Architects, as well as by previous champions across genres, including Kylie Minogue, Joy Crookes, Sharleen Spiteri, Lewis Capaldi, Mark Ronson, La Roux, Elbow, Courteeners, Paloma Faith, Travis, Catherine Marks, Blossoms, Alice Cooper, Novelist, Tom Odell, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, Toyah Willcox, Tricky, Alex Kapranos, and Jazzie B.
Typically benefitting from around a week-long build up, National Album Day has hosted a variety of activities such as listening events with album platforms including Classic Album Sundays, Pitchblack Playback, The Record Club, Tape Notes and Tim’s Listening Parties; live performances, including with charity partner War Child; in-store artist appearances and record store promotions, V&A museum artist in-conversations, album sleeve artwork exhibitions, and street art murals.
This year, National Album Day also welcomes the backing of Official Supporters – Cherry Red Records, DP World, Official Charts, PPL, Proper, and Trapeze.
This valued commitment comes alongside that of the UK’s record labels, who will release new or reissue iconic albums exclusively for the day, the music retail community – in the high street and online – album platforms, including Classic Album Sundays, and the wider music industry.
National Album Day Official Supporter Quotes
Iain McNay, Founder Cherry Red Records and ERA Retail Champion, said:
“It’s nearly been a decade since NAD began, and it has grown year by year in awareness and importance. New figures published by the IFPI show global vinyl sales rising 13.7 % and CD sales up by 3.7%, with overall physical format sales up by 8% in 2025. Many music fans are discovering, or rediscovering, the joy of exploring the album as a creative body of work in which artists have put in so much inspiration, imagination and often genius. The album is making a big comeback, and in supporting the retail community, NAD is increasingly encouraging people to discover this.”
Angela Howard, Vice President Contract Logistics, North Europe, DP World, said:
"We are helping listeners across the UK enjoy the music they love in physical formats that are enduringly popular as the vinyl revival continues. At DP World Bicester - the UK’s largest physical music distribution site - we are proud to support the artists, labels, retailers and fans who keep album culture alive and National Album Day is a fantastic way for us to celebrate and support its enduring appeal and the musical ‘Icons’ who inspire audiences across generations.”
Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, Interim Co-Managing Directors, Official Charts, said jointly:
“Official Charts is proud to support National Album Day and the Icons theme for 2026. The album remains a vital part of an artist’s career and an important creative endeavour. In its 70th Anniversary year, The Official Albums Chart continues to reflect that depth and passion, celebrating the records that define generations and shape music culture. National Album Day is a brilliant moment to recognise the power of albums and the fans who continue to champion them.”
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO PPL, said:
“We’ve proudly supported National Album Day for several years, and becoming an ‘Official Supporter’ feels like a natural next step in a partnership we really believe in. Albums are a uniquely powerful creative format that deepens the connection between artists and fans. Their enduring appeal is reflected in the continued growth of vinyl sales, which are up 13.7% globally year-on-year, according to IFPI’s latest figures. We look forward to working with the BPI and the wider industry on this collaboration, as we come together to champion music and celebrate the people who make it.”
Drew Hill, Managing Director, Proper Music Distribution, said:
“Getting albums into the hands of fans is Proper’s bread and butter. The format remains the definitive artistic statement and a constant in an ever-evolving music landscape. Albums continue to give artists the space to tell deeper stories, build lasting identities and create meaningful connections with fans across generations. We’re proud to support National Album Day and celebrate a format that sits at the heart of music culture.”
John Cooper, Founder & CEO Trapeze, said:
“Trapeze is a specialist record company with three labels Acrobat, Fabulous and Trapeze The company distributes and manufactures in our own UK – Wiltshire facility all of its own label CD and Vinyl releases as well as manufacturing for many other labels. We are dedicated to releasing ALBUMS in all formats in particular in physical formats, all with record collectors very much in mind from across all genres. We are very pleased to be associated with such a prestigious event.”